Director of Strategic Sourcing

About the Role

The Director of Strategic Sourcing serves as a key strategic leader shaping the long-term direction of Portillo’s supply chain. This role owns the sourcing strategy, supplier ecosystem, and category leadership that ensures every product reflects uncompromising standards for quality and value. As a trusted advisor to senior leadership, this player/coach position drives value creation, innovation, and cross-functional alignment in a fast-growing, high-energy environment. The role is hybrid, based at the Portillo’s Restaurant Support Center in Oakbrook, Illinois, with on-site presence required Monday through Thursday.

Responsibilities

• Enable Portillo’s purpose by fostering a collaborative, high-energy culture rooted in quality, service, attitude, and cleanliness.
• Strategic Leadership:
  • Lead and manage the Strategic Sourcing team to execute sourcing priorities aligned with organizational objectives.
  • Own the sourcing strategy across food, packaging, and operational categories to support long-term growth and financial targets.
  • Serve as a strategic supply chain advisor to executive leadership on market dynamics, commodity trends, risk, and opportunities.
  • Build, develop, and inspire a team focused on accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and execution.
• Supplier Relationship Management:
  • Lead supplier relationship strategy to ensure sustained supply of high-quality products and services.
  • Build long-term, strategic partnerships with key suppliers focused on value creation, innovation, quality, and shared success.
  • Directly own select strategic food and/or beverage categories, acting as the supplier relationship owner.
  • Evaluate and validate supplier performance, driving continuous improvement and alignment with company standards.
• Category Management:
  • Provide strategic oversight of category strategies aligned with long-term organizational goals.
  • Develop and implement commodity risk management frameworks, balancing market trends, supplier capabilities, and cost predictability.
  • Lead quarterly commodity and market trend reviews for executive leadership in collaboration with Finance.
  • Establish and maintain strategic contract management processes, including pricing agreements and contract terms.
  • Create and manage comprehensive category costing documents to support financial planning and analysis.
  • Assess and mitigate supply chain risks, including compliance issues and supplier financial instability.
  • Ensure supply continuity through proactive risk assessment, contingency planning, and supplier performance monitoring.
  • Partner cross-functionally to support product commercialization and accelerate speed-to-market for new products.
• Supplier Quality Management & Brand Protection:
  • Oversee supplier quality performance to ensure products and services meet the highest standards.
  • Serve as the escalation partner for product quality-related matters, including recalls and quality assessments.
  • Ensure accuracy and alignment of product specifications and regulatory compliance.
  • Champion quality and safety standards to protect the guest experience and reinforce Portillo’s reputation.
• Sourcing:
  • Develop and implement strategic sourcing initiatives leveraging market trends, category management, and industry best practices.
  • Oversee the RFP process from supplier vetting through negotiation, award, and implementation.
  • Lead or support pricing negotiations to achieve financial objectives and manage supplier relationships.
  • Identify and develop new supplier opportunities aligned with innovation, sustainability, and cost-efficiency goals.
  • Drive technology transformation initiatives in sourcing, including digital tools, data insights, and process modernization.
  • Develop new supplier capabilities to support menu innovation, operational efficiency, and emerging consumer expectations.

Requirements

• Education & Certifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in business or related field preferred.
  • Industry affiliations (e.g., ISM, CPSM) are a benefit.
• Experience & Skills:
  • 10–15+ years of experience in strategic sourcing or procurement, with demonstrated success leading high-performing teams and large-scale category portfolios.
  • Strong background in foodservice, restaurant, retail, or CPG environments with expertise in complex food supply chains.
  • Adept at aligning sourcing strategies with enterprise goals and engaging senior leaders with clear insights and recommendations.
  • Experience managing complex supplier negotiations, governance, contract strategy, and cost-management frameworks.
  • Proven ability to build trust across functions including Operations, Marketing, Culinary, Finance, Legal, and Executive Leadership.
  • Deep commitment to safety, product integrity, and protecting the guest experience.
  • Strong analytical and financial acumen, including commodity and cost modeling experience.
  • Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution in a fast-paced environment.
• Travel: Occasional travel may be required (~15%).

Benefits

• Pay range: $155,000.00 - $190,000.00, depending on experience, location, and skills.
• Discretionary bonus program based on company and individual performance.
• Monthly technology reimbursement.
• Equity awards.
• Quarterly Portillo’s gift cards.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with company match.

Schedule

Hybrid position based at the Portillo’s Restaurant Support Center in Oakbrook, Illinois, with on-site presence required Monday through Thursday.